Island Hopping in Indonesia

Explore the huge variety of the Indonesian archipelago on a
three week island hopping odyssey. From the ancient UNESCO
protected temple sites of central Java, to the vibrant reefs and
unique wildlife of the Komodo Islands, via beautiful Bali. Conclude
the trip with some island hopping R&R on Lombok and the Gili
Islands.

Itinerary at a glance:

Cycle from an active volcano to an ancient Hindu temple
complex

Sail from deserted beach to deserted beach in the Komodo
archipelago

Tour the temples and villages of central Bali in a vintage VW
convertible

Kick back on the pretty beaches of Lombok

Why Book with Original Travel?

Just a few of the extra touches that come as standard on an Original Travel holiday...

All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you

Depart the UK on an indirect overnight flight to central Java,
transiting through Singapore.

Day 2: Arriving in Central Java

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, central Java, you will be met at the
airport after passing through immigration for the transfer to your
hotel in the heart of rural Java. The journey will take around 90
minutes, passing through the hustle and bustle of the city before
emerging into the verdant green of rice paddies and jungle. The
rest of the day is free to relax after your long journey.

Day 3: Cycling day trip in Central Java

Enjoy a cycling trip today, taking you from the lower slopes of
majestic Mount Merapi to the 8th century Hindu temple of Prambanan
- a UNESCO heritage site.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to a village
near to Mount Merapi. The village boasts incredible views of active
volcano Merapi, and the dozens of ravines which have been created
by molten streams of lava over thousands of years. This is the
starting point for the cycle ride, which is around 10 miles in
length and, thankfully, mostly downhill! On route, pass through
villages and countryside, with plenty of opportunities to stop off
for photo opportunities and the chance to chat to local villagers
and farmers. Your guide will explain about the various crops and
plantations as you pass them, from tobacco to rice to snakeskin
fruit. Take lunch in a local restaurant after your cycle ride,
where your meal is accompanied by great views of Prambanan temple.
Once you are suitably refuelled, your driver will be waiting to
transport you to the Prambanan Temple complex to explore with your
guide. The early years history of Prambanan is a little woolly,
though it is thought to have been constructed to commemorate the
return of a Hindu dynasty to Java, and dates back to the 9th
century. After exploring with your guide, it's time to return to
your hotel to relax.

Many of the temples lay in ruins for years, before valiant restoration efforts began in the 1930’s. Under the watchful eye of UNESCO in recent years, many of the temples have been beautifully restored.

Day 4: Borobudur Excursion - Buddhist Temples

An early start is required today, as you travel to the beautiful
Buddhist Stupa of Borobudur in time to enjoy a serene sunrise. The
temple is at its most magical at this time, free from too many
other visitors, and with a view of the morning mist rising over the
surrounding Menoreh hills. The carvings of Borobudur tell the story
of Ramayana over ten levels and circumambulations of the ten levels
of Borobudur will allow you to follow the story chronologically,
with help from your expert guide, of course.

Next up, visit the market near to Borobudur, which is at its
busiest in the morning, as the local people come to buy and sell
their produce. Continue on to explore the smaller temples of Pawon
and Mendut, both of which are older than Borobudur before gaining
an insight into Javanese village life in Candijero. You'll travel
along small lanes by traditional 'dokar' (horse and cart) lined
with traditional houses and stop to see village activities such as
making cassava crackers and harvesting and drying chillis. You
might also like to learn how to scale a coconut tree - or you could
leave it to the experts to climb up and fetch you a fresh one to
quench your thirst. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, and
catch up on some zzz's.

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist Temple in the world and a true work of art. The Stupa is constructed from thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks which were assembled by hand over 75 years back in the 9th century.

Day 5: Transfer to Ubud

Enjoy a leisurely al fresco breakfast today. Your guide will
come to the hotel to collect you for the transfer back to the
airport, where you will board a direct flight to Bali, an hour
away. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport for the 90
minute drive north to Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Settle into
your luxury hotel and relax.

For dinner, I recommend heading to Naughty Nuri’s – a low key, local roadside warung (restaurant) serving the most delectable pork ribs with a side of cool Bintang beer. For a slightly more refined affair, indulge in the tasting menu at contemporary and organic Locavore.

Day 6: Explore the countryside

An early start today, as you are picked up from your hotel by
your driver in a vintage style VW convertible. First stop is Taman
Ayun, one of the island's most beautiful temples, before continuing
the journey through beautiful countryside and little villages
before an uphill drive to the stunning Lake Bratan. Located at
3900ft above sea level, this volcanic lake is surrounded by
mountainous scenery. You'll also have time to gawp at Bali's most
photographed temple - Pura Ulun Danua Bratan. This beautiful temple
was crafted in the 17th century and is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the
goddess of water and as such, the beautiful thatched Hindu Meru
seems to float on the tranquil lake. Pura Ulun Danua Bratan is also
home to a Buddhist shrine and a small mosque.

Continue your journey higher into the mountains of central Bali
to visit Bali's 'Great Lakes': Buyan and Tamblingan. As you drive
high along the rim of the caldera, there will be plenty of chances
for photos. You'll leave your VW behind now, and transfer into a
normal vehicle which can handle the steeper inclines as you travel
to the hilltop village of Munduk. Enjoy lunch in this peaceful
location before making the journey back to your hotel, travelling
along the rice terrace lined roads of Pupuan, and stopping for a
coffee break at a plantation in Belimbing.

Day 7: Excursion to Mount Batur

A super early start today as your guide comes to collect you
around 2am for the drive to Mount Batur. This journey will take
approximately 90 minutes. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your
local guide who will provide you with a torch and lead the way up
the mountain! The first section cuts through forest, followed by
volcanic ash, sand and small rocks; the pathway is mostly uphill
but with plenty of opportunities to stop and rest. After
approximately two hours of trekking you will approach the crater
rim where you will see a dramatic change in the terrain with wind
swept pathways, few rocks and vegetation.

Around 6am, while sitting at the top (5600ft up), you will
witness the long awaited sunrise over Mount Abang and Mount Agung.
On clear days it is even possible to see Lombok's Mount Rinjani in
the distance across the Lombok Strait. A simple breakfast of
bananas and cake with hot coffee or tea will accompany you while
you enjoy the view. Take in the view, cook a boiled egg in a
volcanic vent and begin your descent along the far side of the
crater, with daylight allowing for spectacular views of the
surrounding landscape. You will see the lava flows from the most
recent eruptions and their path of destruction as well as Lake
Batur in the distance. Upon reaching the base, there will be an
opportunity to soothe muscles in natural hot springs before
returning to Ubud. The rest of the day is free to relax - we
strongly recommend a Balinese massage today!

Day 8: Day at leisure

Today is at leisure to explore. Take the opportunity to barter
for gifts and souvenirs in the central handicraft market (the batik
silk scarfs make beautiful presents and fold up nice and neat for
transportation back to the UK!), visit the Ubud Palace and Monkey
Forest in the heart of town, or simply relax by the pool. Enjoy a
final dinner in Ubud - we'll provide some up to date restaurant
recommendations before you travel.

Additional Activities

Cookery class

Whitewater rafting

Paddy field trek

Day 9: Welcome to the Komodo Islands

Early this morning you will return to the airport for the flight
further east to Labuan Bajo, the jumping off point for the Komodo
Islands. Your guide will meet you at the airport for the twenty
minute transfer to the harbour where you will board your private
houseboat. We can suggest a range of boats, starting from simple
wooden houseboats right up to some of the finest sailing vessels in
the Far East. Set sail to begin exploring the Komodo Islands, where
the beaches range from black to white to pink sand, the ocean
offers up every shade of blue imaginable and the reefs teem with
colourful fish.

Day 10: Meet the Komodo Dragons

After breakfast aboard, disembark your boat on Rinca Island for
your first glimpse of the fearsome Komodo Dragons; they can be
spotted as you trek across the undulating landscape. Continue on to
Komodo Island, while also making a pit stop at the beautiful pink
beach - so named because of the rose shade of sand - where we
suggest your don your snorkel and mask and explore the vibrant
underwater world.

Day 11: Return to Bali

Your boat will return to harbour this morning, and you will be
transferred back to the airport for the return flight to Bali. Upon
arrival, transfer by road to the east coast, a journey of around
two hours. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join the
daily yoga class overlooking the ocean for an hour of calm after
your day travelling.

Day 12: Relaxing day in Bali

Free day to relax by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment or
five, and try your hand at yoga, tai chi or Pilates.

Day 13: Meet the locals in Bali

After breakfast, set off on foot with a local guide to explore
the famed rice fields of Eastern Bali. You'll walk from Asak to Bug
Bug, passing farmland, villages and local temples; you may even
witness a traditional ceremony or two as you go. Be sure to stop
and chat to the village farmers - your guide can translate - and
perhaps even share a glass of Bali coffee with them.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 14: Take the boat to Lombok

This morning, you will be picked up for the short road transfer
to the harbour of Padang Bai where you will board the fast boat to
Lombok. The boat journey takes around two hours and can be a little
bumpy, but the convenient route - and the chance of spotting
dolphins as you go - makes it a great option for travel. You will
be met upon arrival and transferred to your luxury beach hotel on
the north west coast of Lombok.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 15: Meet the locals in Lombok

This morning after breakfast you will be picked up and driven to
the Sasak village of Karang Bayan where villagers can be observed
going about their daily activities. The local people here still
preserve their traditions, both in terms of building styles and
religious customs. After, proceed to Suranadi's protected woodland
for a short trek through the ancient forest keeping an eye out for
the wild monkeys.

The tour then stops en-route to Benang Kelambu at a local
restaurant for lunch before taking the five minute walk to Benang
Kelambu waterfall. Continue walking for a further 30 minutes to
reach Benang Setokel waterfall which is 120ft high and flows over
caverns, densely covered by indigenous herbs, flora and fauna.
Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at
leisure.

Day 16-18: Days at leisure

Days at leisure to relax and enjoy your beach hotel.

Additional Activities

Cookery class

Snorkel or scuba dive tour to the Gili Islands

Day 19: Hometime

Sadly the holiday has come to an end and it's time to begin the
journey home. Transfer two hours south by road to the international
airport in plenty of time for your departing flight. Travel
overnight, connecting through Singapore, on route back to the
UK.

All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you

This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do

A Rough Idea of Price

While all of our holidays are completely tailor-made and prices will vary based on things like time of year and level of accommodation, we want to give you as good an idea of how much this itinerary will cost.

This Itinerary

If you would like to book the itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.

From

£3,600pp

Bare Necessities

If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.

From

£3,060pp

Bells & Whistles

If you are looking for something extra special, we can discuss with you upgrading your accommodation, flights or activities.

From

£4,320pp

At Your Service

We rarely boast about our service but we believe it's what sets us apart and makes us truly original, so please forgive this moment of unabashed self-promotion.